Marissa L. Koziel, a 21-year-old woman from Joliet, IL, was found dead on February 23, 2018. Her body was discovered by several teenagers walking along California Avenue in Joliet Township's Forest Park area. The Will County Coroner's Office determined that Marissa Koziel died from a single gunshot wound. The Will County Sheriff's Police believe that she was already dead when her body was dumped near the roadway.
Marissa Koziel had been reported missing by her family on February 14, 2018, to the Manhattan Police Department. She was last seen by her family members on February 1, 2018. In the days leading up to her disappearance and death, Marissa had been staying with friends and at motels in the Joliet and Lockport area. The Will County Sheriff's detectives have been working hard to determine where Marissa was killed, as the location on California Avenue was identified as the dump site.
Marissa Koziel had an extensive criminal record at the Will County Courthouse, with multiple cases involving underage drinking, marijuana possession, criminal thefts, and resisting arrest. She had been booked into Will County Jail twice in the previous year, with one arrest involving three counts of domestic battery and one count of resisting arrest. Despite her troubled past, her friends and family remember her as a caring and kind person who made her friends smile.
The investigation into Marissa Koziel's murder remains active, with the Will County Sheriff's Office continuing to work on the case. Chief Deputy Sheriff Dan Jungles expressed confidence that the person responsible for her death would eventually be arrested and prosecuted. The case has faced several obstacles, including the time delay between Marissa being reported missing and her body being found, as well as her transient lifestyle. Despite these challenges, the detectives remain committed to solving the case and bringing justice for Marissa.
